Prevalent Vitamin B-12 Deficiency in Twelve-Month-Old Guatemalan Infants Is Predicted by Maternal B-12 Deficiency and Infant Diet

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Abstract
Approximately one-third of low-income women and children studied in Guatemala are reported to have deficient (μg/d, and infants consumed 2.2 μg/d from complementary foods. In linear regression analysis, infant plasma B-12 concentration was strongly and positively associated with maternal plasma vitamin B-12 and B-12 intake from complementary foods (predominantly powdered cow's milk), and inversely associated with frequency of breast-feeding and larger household size (P < 0.0001). Vitamin B-12 supplementation of lactating women, food fortification, and education to improve infant's vitamin B-12 status are potential interventions that can improve the vitamin B-12 status of mothers and infants in this population.